American Flood Coalition Recognizes Senator Tim Kaine as a Federal Champion
As Virginia faces stronger storms and rising sea levels, Sen. Kaine commits to leading on flood solutions.
WASHINGTON, DC — August 13, 2024 — The American Flood Coalition (AFC) today recognized Senator Tim Kaine (VA) as a Federal Champion for his leadership, public service, and commitment to finding solutions to challenges posed by flooding.
While serving in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Kaine has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to prevent and restore damage from severe weather and flooding, revamp emergency evacuation routes and protocols, and create critical infrastructure for coastal resiliency across Virginia.
“Communities across Virginia are grappling with more severe flooding and sea level rise caused by climate change. I’m proud to work with the American Flood Coalition to address those challenges,” said Senator Kaine. “I will continue to work with AFC to harness legislation we’ve passed, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to build more resilient infrastructure to keep Virginians safe.”
Sen. Kaine joins 48 bipartisan AFC Federal Champions, those members of Congress dedicated to advancing solutions to stronger storms, more frequent flooding, and higher seas. Sen. Kaine is the fourth Federal Champion from the commonwealth, joining Sen. Mark Warner, as well as Reps. Bobby Scott and Jennifer McClellan.
“As a longtime bipartisan leader, Senator Kaine has shown a steadfast commitment to equipping communities in Virginia and beyond with the tools, funding, and expertise required to meet the urgent challenges of higher seas and more intense flooding,” said Melissa Roberts, Executive Director of the American Flood Coalition. “On behalf of AFC’s dozens of members across Virginia, we appreciate his support and look forward to continuing to partner on effective resilience and adaptation strategies.”
Senator Kaine was a strong supporter of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and has championed significant federal funding to increase resiliency and protect Virginia’s coastal and inland communities from flooding and sea level rise impacts. He secured over $399 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding for the Norfolk Coastal Risk Management Project, which will reduce and manage flooding in Norfolk. He secured $1.5 million in BIL funding for the Virginia Beach and Vicinity Coastal Storm Risk Management Study, which will help improve the long-term vitality and resilience of the City of Virginia Beach.
He also secured $3 million for the Peninsula Regional Flood Risk Management feasibility study in Hampton and the surrounding region and secured funding to help protect Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay from historic erosion.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Kaine has partnered with AFC on policy solutions to bolster Department of Defense installations — including those across the greater Hampton Roads region — from flooding and sea level rise. In 2021, his bipartisan EMBRACE Act was passed as part of the annual defense bill. He has also supported efforts to ensure that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers studies and projects more accurately capture flood risk in areas highly concentrated with federal lands.
About the American Flood Coalition
The American Flood Coalition is a nonpartisan group that brings together cities, elected officials, military leaders, businesses, and civic groups to drive adaptation to higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding. The Coalition advances solutions that support flood-affected communities and protect our nation’s residents, economy, and military installations. AFC has over 430 members across 22 states, as well as 49 Federal Champions. For more on the organization’s work or how to become a member, visit floodcoalition.org.
About Federal Champions
The American Flood Coalition is an IRS Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The American Flood Coalition is not a Congressional Member Organization, nothing on this website shall be read to imply official sponsorship by either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate or any of their respective Members, and Federal Champions have no membership obligations or fiduciary responsibilities with respect to the American Flood Coalition. Federal Champion is an honorary title awarded by the American Flood Coalition to recognize Members of Congress who have come together to drive adaptation to the reality of higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding.
